Top 03 Best Beaches on the South Coast of Sri Lanka

With their golden sands and pristine waters, beaches are a top favourite in terms of southern Sri Lanka attractions among travellers. Whether you’re looking for a spot to coolly lounge around at, or are keen on a more adventurous beach experience, the southern coastline is dotted with plenty of options for beach lovers. It is a tropical beach paradise, making it near-impossible to single out a “best beach” in south Sri Lanka. Instead, we’ve short-listed three options that we think would work well for most. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, hotels, and lodges all along the coast for meals and accommodation to suit every type of budget.

South Coast, Sri Lanka: Beaches Worth Visiting

South Coast, Sri Lanka: Beaches Worth Visiting

Hikkaduwa

About two hours away from Colombo via the Southern Expressway is Hikkaduwa Beach, vastly popular for its clear waters, breathtaking sunset views, and vibrant nightlife.

Things to do in Hikkaduwa Beach:

• The Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary, just offshore, is perfect for snorkelling and diving, with a vivacious marine ecosystem that is truly worth seeing. It is very likely that you might wade alongside wild turtles while you snorkel, particularly around Turtle Beach. Divers would also be able to explore a few shipwrecks in the area.
• If you prefer not getting into the water, there are glass-bottom boat rides that would give you a glimpse of the marine ecosystem. While perhaps not as enchanting as snorkelling or diving, this is a decent alternative.
• One can observe sea turtles and their hatchlings up-close at the Turtle Hatchery, Hikkaduwa, and get an insight into their life cycles and habits, and measures taken by authorities and organisations to nurture sea turtle populations and counter their ‘endangered’ status. A stop here can be quite eye-opening, particularly for families with children.
• For those of you who enjoy surfing, Hikkaduwa is known for having waves that suit different skill levels, making it a popular surf spot. The ideal surf season here is between November and March.

Unawatuna

Things to do in Unawatuna Beach:

• Unawatuna beach is popular for surfing. While there are waves to suit every level of surfer, it is a spot frequented by beginners due to the presence of a mellow wave with a sandy bottom, which is relatively easier to ride.
• Within proximity, Dalawella Beach is known for its lagoon area which is great for chilling, its turquoise waters where you can take a dip – often with turtles, and the Insta-popular rope swing which draws many-a-visitor for that perfect shot of them swinging away from the inclined coconut palm, often against the pretty hues of the sunset.
• Once a hidden gem (and now immensely popular), nearby Jungle Beach is accessed via a short walk through a jungle, and is an ideal spot to relax, lounge, and take a dip in the shallow waters – often under the gaze of monkeys swinging along on surrounding trees.
• The Japanese Peace Pagoda is popular among visitors to Unawatuna for its serenity, and stunning views of the ocean, Galle Bay and Galle Fort. The vista is even more beautiful at sunset.

Mirissa and Weligama

Mirissa offers more than just a beach experience – it is a place that creates lifelong memories. If you do visit Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka, Weligama Beach – one of the south coast’s most popular beaches – is just a half hour’s drive away.

Things to do in Mirissa Beach:

• About 45 minutes by road from Unawatuna, before reaching Mirissa, is Weligama, a sandy bay that offers plenty of beaches to chill on, and world-famous waves for surfers ranging from amateurs to pros. The area also brims with hotels to suit every budget, restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. It’s no surprise that Weligama has many returning travellers!
• While at Mirissa Beach, whale watching is a must-do. Although there are other points along the west coast for dolphin watching, Mirissa gives you better odds for this, too. The best season for catching a glimpse of these majestic marine creatures is November-March.
• Turtle Point is a great point for snorkelling, with a high probability of encountering sea turtles in the water.
• If you’re after panoramic ocean views, and are looking for a few scenic images to hashtag on the Gram, Coconut Tree Hill is quite the popular spot for this among travellers.
• Another spot that’s fantastic for sublime views of the ocean and of Mirissa Beach is Parrot Rock, which adds a touch of adventure with the climb to the top.

Best Way to Explore Beaches on Sri Lanka’s South Coast

Although public transport options are available, the ideal way to enjoy south coast Sri Lanka’s beaches would be to hire your own vehicle. This would allow you the flexibility to spend as much time as you like exploring each beach and its attractions, without having to worry about travel timings and availability of transport.

If you do intend to rent a car in Sri Lanka, Kings Rent-a-Car offers a selection of reliable vehicles, ranging from saloon cars to SUVs and 4WDs at competitive rates. While self-drive rentals are an option, we recommend using our chauffeur service for expertise on local routes and navigation. Add-on options include child/infant car seats, jumper cables, first aid kits and GPS-enabled tablets.

Visit Kings Rent-a-Car online for rates and options, or WhatsApp us on +94 77 773 9492 for information and inquiries.